Posts

Stones Cry Lapidary?

Do stones really cry?  Its a mystery. I know they do for me.  A force unseen is still a force. Often when a question or emotion weighs on me, I lose myself by studying my rock collection.  I think about how they formed in the dark depths of earth, over eons of time under conditions of ancient forces. Whether it was mineralization within pockets or cells of matter once animal or plant, or maybe sedimentation, shifting pressures, shifting plates, solidification of magma, or ? I wonder about the rockhounds who originally collected this specimen from our earth, and every hand who's held it since. I offer gratitude their work, especially if it was ethical, and ask forgiveness for them if it was not.  I offer gratitude to Earth and pray my work honors her. I marvel at the visual change that occurs during polishing. The process of rough grinding an ordinary looking dirt-crusted rock through a series of finer and finer grits, until finally a powdery grit produces a shiny pol...

Why, what, how of Woman with a Torch

Why  "Woman with Torch"? After meditating on what the business should be called, this name came to mind. What  is Woman with a Torch? I am a metalsmith and lapidary. I use my own two hands plus a jewelers torch, a few other tools to turn vision (my own design) into a treasured piece of jewelry, with a goal of offering it for sale How is Woman with a Torch Jewelry made? -observation of all things: stones, plants, animals, emotions, experiences, ..life. All is inspiration. Vision comes after contemplation -sketch with notes, study connections, function -fabricate components: finished stone, bales, bezels, clasps, textures, etc. -solder components together. Check fit, function, file, sand, clean up, patina, texture, prepolish -set stone -final polish -calculate price (industry accepted formula using costs time, overhead). Adjust price for market -photograph various angles for honest representation, (no special effects, minimal reflections) -market it (website, blog, social m...

Opalized Agate Dragon pendant

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I see a two headed dragon hiding in this opalized agate.   In my experience, rarely do two people see the same thing in a stone, so you may see something else. Anyway I do like dragons so I'm keeping this one for myself. I like having my own secret two-headed dragon!  

Turquoise Makeover #2

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(way back in Dec 2020)...Another challenge, another happy ending! Loyal customer bought misc. collection from estate sale of acquaintance. Requested it be repurposed into gifts for loved ones of the deceased. She placed no boundaries on me (yay!). Again, she placed no boundaries on me (uh oh!).  I hope they loved it! finished pieces returned to customer estate sale jewelry, ready to be cannibalized

Earring lost. Pendant/earring set gained.

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She lost an earring, her favorite pair, a gift from her husband. I am a sucker for the sentimental. Original earring became a pendant. I made earrings to match.  She's happy. I'm happy. 🙂 14k gold, sterling.

Repair job - Paua Shell ring

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Repair job: gorgeous ring with paua (abalone) shell. This ring (not made by me) arrived on my workbench with its shank (the part that goes around your finger) torn off.   To solder the shank back on, the fragile shell had to be removed from its setting.   I worked very carefully to pry up the bezel (the part that goes around the stone or shell and holds it in place). Once the shell was removed, I was able to solder the shank back to the setting, then carefully re-set the shell. Of course I had to try it on. As soon as it was on my finger I was enchanted by it, it's so beautiful, a little piece of the ocean! I'm happy I was able to repair it and send it on it's way back to it's owner. I think she'll be pleased! Note: I don't often do repair work but sometimes I make an exception. Each time I do a repair on someone else's work, I learn from the original maker, and I'm often inspired. This gorgeous...

I am Woman with a Torch

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 I am Woman with a Torch.      Metalsmith, Stone Cutter... since the 1970s.    Artist since birth.